New law makes smoking with minors in car illegal

Oregon drivers caught smoking cigarettes with children in the car may now face a fine of up to $250 under a new state law.

Effective Jan. 1, smoking in a motor vehicle with a person under the age of 18 present will be a secondary traffic violation.

“The smoke generated from smoking in a car is especially harmful since levels are more concentrated, which is particularly damaging to a child’s developing lungs,” said Lane County Public Health Officer Dr. Patrick Luedtke.

Secondhand smoke is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Group A carcinogen and is shown to cause cancer in humans and those under the age of 18 are especially at risk.